Meanwhile, I'm losing my mind because lane splitting is illegal in Canada. lol. Good vid. Thanks. I'm really starting to like my DR650 now that I have a better seat.
Awesome mate! Yeah a plush seat makes the difference for longer rides. Also the law here says a fully licensed rider can filter trough traffic up to a certain speed but splitting or lane sharing is still illegal. (hope we didn't break any laws😉) cheers
Added to that the DR being lighter and a robust, simple build would potentially cost u a fraction of the cost if u drop it, or even a fall off the sidestand. Another point is tyres for the DR are around half the price of Vstrom units, although they are more hassle to repair.
Great points. I think both bikes are pretty tough, I've dropped the V-Strom without a scratch (DRs are far easier to get parts). Valid point about price if you are looking at a new bike but for second hand 2013 models like these its almost the other way around in my neck of the woods. DR's are going for crazy prices, they really hold their value and are more popular than ever. cheers
Vstrom is at least as tough as a DR in a drop. For commuting. Vstrom. No question. More comfortable. Better gas mileage. Better brakes. On and on. You get off road the conversation may change a little.
Hi! You just made a very intersting review. I don't know much about the DR659 but I do know that V- Strom is a damn versatile machine. It's probably the most versatile motorcicle ever made.
I own a 2022 DR and a 2008 Vstrom 650 in Southern CA. Vstrom is more suited to most of my riding but I love them both for pretty much the reasons you outline. Great video.
In '17 , I bought a new DL650 and a new DR650. Both bikes were so dependable. Not one issue with either in 6 years. The DR was a joy in town and on 2 lane mountain roads.I reluctantly traded both for a Z900RS. Missed the DL, so I bought a '23 650 Adventure. Still wish I had the DR. If and when SHTF, it would be a tough bike to beat, as long as you had fuel. I did buy a '23 SV650 as well, before they're no more. Great bike.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I had not heard of the freewind, you just don't see them for sale around here. It IS the missing link between the DR and the DL650, my interest is peaked. Thanks again, don't forget to sub as I will do a video on this soon.
I have both a DR650 and SV650. Sv/vestrom engine is a good 650 that likes a faster pace than the DR650. I have setup DR650 for a 2300 mile adventure and with supermoto wheels for a 2800 mile road trip. You can build a DR650 any way you like. But DR650 doesn't like to go long distance at high speed.
Thanks for sharing mate. I couldn't agree more, I do some regular long freeway trips and the Vstrom chews up the miles in comfort. I would not like to be doing them on the DR. Enjoy your roadtrip. cheers
As a city commuter, I would choose the DR650. It's lighter and more nimble. It's also better at soaking up the pot holes. Fuel mileage is probably even.
@@dainiusk.7632 Well because the comparison didn't include the DRZ. I would still take the DR650 because it has so much more torque and is superior on the highway. However, there are far more supermoto options for the DRZ.
So DR650 and a klr650 are not that far apart and I did 50k in 2 years on a 01 klr650 and loved it awesome bike I picked up a new 06 DL650 and did 85k in 2 years oh and the is miles. Loved both bikes for what they are but the DL650 gave me way more than a 650 DS could. I took it in some really rocky 2 track and in every kind of weather you can get in NJ/PA if all i could have is one bike that DL650 would be it... What we have today is a XT1200 CRF1000 klx650 DL650 DR650 KTM exc525 Versys 300 WR250F TTR250 and a PW50.
Love hearing that about your DL experience.You sure get some time in the saddle. You also have quite a stable of bikes. Good on you and thanks for watching. cheers
The V Strom is better in every way. But there’s something about the The dual sport the plastic the lightness the thumper that makes it feel like a Motorcycles should feel. I totally get it the DR is more fun.
Not even close to be better in every way, if anything the vstom is more comfortable , but the vstrom is no match doing hard off road, trails, sand, etc
Excellect review,the V Strom wins for me for the water cooled v twin and the five gallon tank. I do alot of interstate riding. i do get what you said though. The Dr is such a great narrow flippable bike ,you can't really lose with either.
I ride a V-Strom DL650 (same model as you have here) but if I was doing more city riding and also hitting the rural roads at the weekend I would be looking at the KTM 390 Adventure.
Have a DR and love it in general but struggle with the vibration at times. Must be my age. Am considering the DL for that reason although I commute mostly and love my lane filtering, the low weight and the tall seat height of the DR. Love to hear others having made the move from DR to DL for commuting? Cheers
I ride 130 miles a day to and from work, half mountain highway, half interstate. I put 22,000 miles on my DR with that commute before getting my DL which is about a million times better than my DR in that context. I'll never sell my DR though; works better for me off road and is much more "flickable." Love 'em both. *Edit; Lane filtering is way easier for me on the DR than the DL. But I do have panniers and for whatever reason, I feel much less urgency on the DL. Maybe the added power/more comfortable ride? Anyway. Hope this helps (11 months later lol)
why bother with the dr in the city? its a bush machine, endless tuning, turning it into whatever you want. 5 gears , no abs - why even consider for the city?
Dr650 wins, especially if u live in a place to go offroad, Australia is trash place for off-road and even on road so I’d just find another hobby… knitting?
Meanwhile, I'm
losing my mind because lane splitting is illegal in Canada. lol. Good vid. Thanks. I'm really starting to like my DR650 now that I have a better seat.
lane splitting save so much traffic time, canada should have adopt it imo.
Awesome mate! Yeah a plush seat makes the difference for longer rides. Also the law here says a fully licensed rider can filter trough traffic up to a certain speed but splitting or lane sharing is still illegal. (hope we didn't break any laws😉) cheers
Added to that the DR being lighter and a robust, simple build would potentially cost u a fraction of the cost if u drop it, or even a fall off the sidestand. Another point is tyres for the DR are around half the price of Vstrom units, although they are more hassle to repair.
Great points. I think both bikes are pretty tough, I've dropped the V-Strom without a scratch (DRs are far easier to get parts). Valid point about price if you are looking at a new bike but for second hand 2013 models like these its almost the other way around in my neck of the woods. DR's are going for crazy prices, they really hold their value and are more popular than ever. cheers
Vstrom is at least as tough as a DR in a drop. For commuting. Vstrom. No question. More comfortable. Better gas mileage. Better brakes. On and on. You get off road the conversation may change a little.
@@Mightycaptain Yeah, for longer commutes. But if the commute had little to no 100kph zones u couldn't beat the DR.
Just get more than one bike. I have more than I need but would not sell any of them at this time.
Hi! You just made a very intersting review. I don't know much about the DR659 but I do know that V- Strom is a damn versatile machine. It's probably the most versatile motorcicle ever made.
I can definitely see how you'd feel that way. Thanks for watching
I own a 2022 DR and a 2008 Vstrom 650 in Southern CA. Vstrom is more suited to most of my riding but I love them both for pretty much the reasons you outline. Great video.
In '17 , I bought a new DL650 and a new DR650. Both bikes were so dependable. Not one issue with either in 6 years. The DR was a joy in town and on 2 lane mountain roads.I reluctantly traded both for a Z900RS. Missed the DL, so I bought a '23 650 Adventure. Still wish I had the DR. If and when SHTF, it would be a tough bike to beat, as long as you had fuel. I did buy a '23 SV650 as well, before they're no more. Great bike.
I believe the right competitor is the Suzuki xf freewind.. previous of v storm with same engine of the dr650... keep up good video
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I had not heard of the freewind, you just don't see them for sale around here. It IS the missing link between the DR and the DL650, my interest is peaked. Thanks again, don't forget to sub as I will do a video on this soon.
@@landshark9603 great can wait to watch..yes pars of the world Suzuki dint sell
I have both a DR650 and SV650. Sv/vestrom engine is a good 650 that likes a faster pace than the DR650. I have setup DR650 for a 2300 mile adventure and with supermoto wheels for a 2800 mile road trip. You can build a DR650 any way you like. But DR650 doesn't like to go long distance at high speed.
Also I think I'm adding a Vestrom 650 to my stable soon. The simplistic durable nature of these Suzuki's makes them very practical and affordable.
Thanks for sharing mate. I couldn't agree more, I do some regular long freeway trips and the Vstrom chews up the miles in comfort. I would not like to be doing them on the DR. Enjoy your roadtrip. cheers
As a city commuter, I would choose the DR650. It's lighter and more nimble. It's also better at soaking up the pot holes. Fuel mileage is probably even.
Thanks for watching and sharing.
why not dr400 in that case?
@@dainiusk.7632 Well because the comparison didn't include the DRZ. I would still take the DR650 because it has so much more torque and is superior on the highway. However, there are far more supermoto options for the DRZ.
So DR650 and a klr650 are not that far apart and I did 50k in 2 years on a 01 klr650 and loved it awesome bike I picked up a new 06 DL650 and did 85k in 2 years oh and the is miles.
Loved both bikes for what they are but the DL650 gave me way more than a 650 DS could.
I took it in some really rocky 2 track and in every kind of weather you can get in NJ/PA if all i could have is one bike that DL650 would be it...
What we have today is a XT1200 CRF1000 klx650 DL650 DR650 KTM exc525 Versys 300 WR250F TTR250 and a PW50.
Love hearing that about your DL experience.You sure get some time in the saddle. You also have quite a stable of bikes. Good on you and thanks for watching. cheers
Great video
I live in Cairns, & ride a Huski Terra.
The taller bikes are def a lot better to get around the car mirrors.
Nice bike mate, perfect for filtering. Its the vans and dual cabs that I get stuck between with there massive mirrors.
The V Strom is better in every way. But there’s something about the The dual sport the plastic the lightness the thumper that makes it feel like a Motorcycles should feel. I totally get it the DR is more fun.
100 the DR sits in a sweet spot. Its a do it all bike you can have fun with.
Not even close to be better in every way, if anything the vstom is more comfortable , but the vstrom is no match doing hard off road, trails, sand, etc
Excellect review,the V Strom wins for me for the water cooled v twin and the five gallon tank.
I do alot of interstate riding.
i do get what you said though.
The Dr is such a great narrow flippable bike ,you can't really lose with either.
Thanks for the feedback mate. For the long haul, the V-Strom wins no question.
Great and honest comparison.
Thanks for watching and supporting the Channel.
I ride a V-Strom DL650 (same model as you have here) but if I was doing more city riding and also hitting the rural roads at the weekend I would be looking at the KTM 390 Adventure.
Have a DR and love it in general but struggle with the vibration at times. Must be my age. Am considering the DL for that reason although I commute mostly and love my lane filtering, the low weight and the tall seat height of the DR. Love to hear others having made the move from DR to DL for commuting? Cheers
I ride 130 miles a day to and from work, half mountain highway, half interstate. I put 22,000 miles on my DR with that commute before getting my DL which is about a million times better than my DR in that context. I'll never sell my DR though; works better for me off road and is much more "flickable." Love 'em both. *Edit; Lane filtering is way easier for me on the DR than the DL. But I do have panniers and for whatever reason, I feel much less urgency on the DL. Maybe the added power/more comfortable ride? Anyway. Hope this helps (11 months later lol)
Been riding a vstrom 1000cc for many years.
I bought it to zip around town.
I have no desire to do long rides on any bike.
Who makes that seat on the Dr 650. Where can I get one?
It was a custom trim job. Not cheap
interesting, thank you
You're welcome
Yeah but which one wheelies best?
haha dr
I’ve owned both and for my city full of potholes, I prefer the DR650. Vstrom is better for traveling in the road with the wife
Thanks for watching and sharing. Always got a place in my heart for the DR.
Adventure bike, yes. "Entry level" adventure bike? No. Perfect all around adventure bike? Yes, for sure.
Does it do good on the high way
V-Strom is much smoother and a nicer place to be on the freeway.
DR for me.
why bother with the dr in the city? its a bush machine, endless tuning, turning it into whatever you want. 5 gears , no abs - why even consider for the city?
Good points.
Dr650 wins, especially if u live in a place to go offroad, Australia is trash place for off-road and even on road so I’d just find another hobby… knitting?
haha Awesome mate. Knit me a neck warmer for this bullshit weather.
@@landshark9603 😂🤣